The Cascade: Beginning Steps
Learning how to juggle two balls in one hand taught you the
basic form and skill that is required to move onto real
juggling: the basic cascade. The cascade tends to be one of
the most difficult juggling techniques to learn, but once
learned, many tricks and techniques can be added to
enhance your repertoire. Like when practicing with two
balls, we will start by using one ball and then work our way
up to three balls.
4
Point of
release
Step 4: Cascade - One Ball
Begin with the same stance as used previously; however, instead of placing only
one hand out in front of you, place both of your hands in position. Place a ball in
the palm of your hand. Toss this ball from one hand to the other—releasing it with
the same principles as used previously, swooping your arm towards the center of
your body as you throw. Release the ball right before your arm reaches your
midline. Catch it with the opposite hand, and return the ball by tossing it back in
the exact same fashion. Practice this tossing motion; the pattern of the ball should
follow a figure eight pattern, as seen in the pictures. Once you are comfortable with
this pattern, you are ready to add another ball.
Tip: To help in future steps, it is important to make sure your tosses are all thrown
in the same vertical plane and follow the same path. For many beginners, it is
difficult to throw along this plane consistently.
Peak from
right hand
5
Toss
Step 5: Cascade - Two Balls, Tosses
Begin with one ball in each hand. Toss the ball in your dominant hand across to the
other hand, when this ball reaches its peak; toss the ball from the other hand—using
the same technique. The peaks for each ball should be the same. Catch both balls.
Tip: When tossing the second ball it is important to use the underhand, swooping
motion that you learned in Step Two. Poor tosses lead to collisions in the air.
Step 6: Cascade - Two Balls, Practice
Return the balls to the hands where they began, following the same technique as
used in Step Five. Repeat the tossing pattern—toss, toss, catch, catch—until you
are comfortable with the technique. Be sure to alternate the hand making the first
toss. (Note: This is NOT juggling!) The procedure may feel uncomfortable,
because after two tosses you must take a pause, and toss with the hand that caught
the last ball. The pause will be filled in the next step with the addition of the third
ball.
Note: Do not make a common mistake of beginners: throwing one ball and then
handing the second ball to the other hand. This is called the shower, and with three
balls, it becomes more difficult than the cascade.
Tip: If you are having trouble with your timing repeat “toss, toss, catch, catch”
aloud in a constant rhythm with your tosses.
Note: the accompanying picture to Step 6 corresponds to the tossing in Step Five. This image shows
how the tossed ball should be thrown interior to the ball that is in the air.
6
Toss
Catch